DAZZLING IDEAS

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- AUGUST 17, 2024

The people who come up with new and dazzling ideas are amazing. Inventing or discovering things that make our lives better is a real talent. 

Sometimes an invention helps millions of people with one fell swoop. If you carry an EpiPen because of an allergy, the new (ironically named) Neffy could be a lifesaver. “The Food and Drug Administration approved the first needle-free alternative to the EpiPen, a single-use epinephrine nasal spray for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.”

If you dread the prospect of being stabbed with  a needle, the Neffy could be the answer. “This approval marks a watershed moment in addressing an unmet medical need for people with Type I allergies — a treatment alternative that avoids the need to inject epinephrine with a needle.” More specific information at: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4820727-fda-approves-epinephrine-nasal-spray/.

Sometimes an invention is pretty cool. A test in Michigan falls into this category. “What if your car could talk to the road? Cavnue hopes to answer that question with a pilot project it’s now conducting on a three-mile stretch of highway in Michigan.

Cavnue recently unveiled the initial phase of the I-94 Connected and Automated (CAV) Corridor. The company is billing it as a first-of-its-kind smart-road deployment.”

It works like this. “Cavnue installed poles every 200 meters along the three-mile corridor. Sensors on the poles observe what’s happening on the road. The system relays information on traffic factors—like crashes, adverse weather, and congestion—to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Eventually, the technology will enable notifications to connected vehicles of potential safety hazards ahead, such as debris or stalled vehicles. Giving drivers a heads-up to prepare for tricky traffic conditions can reduce congestion and emissions.” (https://www.emergingtechbrew.com/stories/2024/07/30/cavnue-smart-road-michigan-pilot)

It's always good news when we can repurpose something headed for a dump. Some news from England addresses this. “The Association of Independent Festivals estimated that 250,000 tents are left at music festivals each summer, with most of them being sent straight to landfill.” (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c886dl0eg4po)

What to do with these leftovers? A company named Retribe collects the discarded tents.  “The founders decided to use their knowledge of the outdoor clothing industry to turn the waste into sustainable outfits. Retribe uses all of the trimmings of the tent for decorations on its clothing. It's a really cool thing to look like you're wearing a repurposed tent.” See the clothing collection at: https://www.retribe.co.uk/. 

Ideas can be serious, but there are times when a bit of whimsy (or downright goofiness) comes into play. This is the case with an interesting new drink being touted on social media – Fluffy Coke. “The sugary beverage involves a combination of Marshmallow Fluff, Coca-Cola and ice.” 

You make this by spreading  Marshmallow Fluff in your cup. Then you fill the cup with ice. Finally, you fill the cup with the soda and stir with a straw. A commenter  exclaimed: “I have never heard of such a thing and now I must have it.”

(https://www.today.com/food/news/fluffy-coke-rcna163483)

If that isn't sugary enough for you, head for the opening game for the Arizona Cardinals NFL season. They will be unveiling a new snack at stadium concession stands. “The Cardinals are introducing a Cotton Candy Burrito, described as ice cream and candy wrapped in cotton candy."

The list of ingredients are sure to challenge any sweet tooth: “Cotton Candy Flavored Ice Cream topped with Fruity Pebbles, Froot Loops, Marshmallows, Skittles, Mini M&M’s, Gummy Bears and Sprinkles all wrapped in a Melt-in-your-Mouth Cotton Candy Shell.” See this creation at: https://thespun.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/photos-nfl-stadium-selling-insane-cotton-candy-burrito-in-2024. 

Speaking of taste treats, millennials who spent time at shopping malls can now smell like their favorite mall snack. “You can actually smell like your favorite treat at the mall while you were a teenager. That snack is an Auntie Anne's pretzel — and the company just turned it into a fragrance. Meet Knead, an Eau De Pretzel.” 

The company touts the new fragrance. “There are few scents more recognizable than the aroma of Auntie Anne's. Smell is a special and powerful sense.  We've bottled that moment and can't wait for fans to enjoy it in a whole new way." (https://people.com/auntie-annes-launches-pretzel-scented-fragrance-knead-8691706)

Be advised, however, that smelling like a pretzel is not cheap. “It will be available in one ounce and 3.4 ounce bottles for $25 and $45, respectively at: https://www.auntieannes.com/knead. 

Finally, sometimes something is seemingly old but can also be new. “You might think it’s absurd, but Oxford English Dictionary editors recently revealed that 'run' has indeed become the single word with the most potential meanings in all of English, boasting no fewer than 645 different usage cases for the verb form alone. In all its girth, took one professional lexicographer nine months of research to complete.” (https://www.rd.com/article/most-complicated-word-in-english/)

I know this news is so exciting you are probably brimming with anticipation. “So, ready to run through the whole list of definitions? Alas, to read all 645 meanings you’ll have to wait for the next edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. That print run is expected in 2037.” 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.